The Linoleic Acid: Dihomo-γ-Linolenic Acid Ratio (LA:DGLA)—An Emerging Biomarker of Zn Status

Knez, Marija; Stangoulis, James; Glibetić, Maria; Tako, Elad

doi:10.3390/nu9080825

Cited by 45 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…Furthermore, Zn modifies cyclooxy-genase activity and it acts as a co-enzyme for ∆6 desaturase [31][32][33]39]. The link between the ∆6 desaturase and Zn has been studied both in animals and humans [32,34,35,39]. The LA:DGLA ratio has been proposed as a potentially new biomarker of Zn status as it has been demonstrated that the ratio changes in accordance to dietary Zn manipulations [32,33,39].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Trace elements have a role in FA metabolism. Zn is a cofactor for desaturases and elongases in endogenous FA synthesis [30][31][32][33][34][35], so the alterations in plasma levels of Zn possibly influence the activities of these enzymes and consequently the regulation of FA metabolism. Serum concentrations of Zn and Fe correlated with serum PUFA concentrations and activities of certain desaturases [36][37][38].…”

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confidence: 99%

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Is There a Link between Zinc Intake and Status with Plasma Fatty Acid Profile and Desaturase Activities in Dyslipidemic Subjects?

et al. 2019

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The prevalence of obesity and dyslipidemia has increased worldwide. The role of trace elements in the pathogenesis of these conditions is not well understood. This study examines the relationship between dietary zinc (Zn) intake and plasma concentrations of Zn, copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) with lipid profile indicators, fatty acid composition in plasma phospholipids and desaturase enzyme activities in a dyslipidemic population. The role of the newly proposed biomarker of Zn status, the linoleic:dihomo-gama-linolenic acid (LA:DGLA) ratio, in predicting Zn status of dyslipidemic subjects has been explored. The study included 27 dyslipidemic adults, 39-72 years old. Trace elements were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry and fatty acid composition by a liquid gas chromatography. Desaturase activities were calculated from product-precursor fatty acid ratios. Dietary data were obtained using 24 h recall questionnaires. Insufficient dietary intake of Zn, low plasma Zn concentrations and an altered Cu:Zn ratio is related to modified fatty acid profile in subjects with dyslipidemia. Plasma Zn status was associated with obesity. There was no correlation between dietary Zn intake and plasma Zn status. The LA:DGLA ratio was inversely linked to dietary Zn intake. Cu, in addition to Zn, may directly or indirectly, affect the activity of desaturase enzymes. region of Europe (54% for both sexes). Successful treatment of dyslipidemia significantly reduces morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases [7]. Basically 10% reduction in serum lipid levels has been reported to result in a 50% reduction in heart disease within 5 years [1].Trace elements have crucial roles in metabolism, growth, immunological and neurological functions [8][9][10]. Zinc (Zn) is required for an adequate activity of more than 300 enzymes involved in protein synthesis, fatty acid metabolism, reproduction and oxidative clearance [11]. Iron (Fe) is needed for proper oxygen transport, while copper (Cu) is important for the oxido-reduction and detoxification and is involved in growth, development of cellular elements of arterial walls, lipoprotein metabolism and immune function [9,12,13]. The concentrations of serum/plasma minerals Zn, Cu and Fe are associated with the development of chronic diseases [10,14,15]. Deficiency in microelements leads to an increase in fat deposition and obesity [16]. Hypoferremia is often seen in people suffering from hypertension and plasma Zn concentrations have been directly correlated with total cholesterol and LDL-C levels [15,17]. Zn, Cu and Fe plasma levels are related to the extent of myocardial damage [18]. Epidemiological studies show a direct correlation between low plasma Zn and Fe concentrations and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases [19]. Elevated plasma levels of Cu were reported in patients with coronary artery disease [20]. Although deficiencies of trace elements may alter metabolism of lipids and lipoproteins, the mechanism of their action is not yet completely understood. The fatty acid (FA)...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Is There a Link between Zinc Intake and Status with Plasma Fatty Acid Profile and Desaturase Activities in Dyslipidemic Subjects?

et al. 2019

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“…3C). As the LA:DGLA is a sensitive novel biomarker for evaluating Zn status 74 , these results suggest that longer-term (6 months) exposure to 'Biofortified' diet may demonstrate clearer improvements to Zn status and is warranted. Zinc deficiency in chickens is known to negatively alter the gut microbiome, and improved microbial composition in 'Biofortified' chickens may be an additional symptom of improved Zn status 75 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Nicotianamine-chelated iron positively affects iron status, intestinal morphology and microbial populations in vivo (Gallus gallus)

Beasley

Johnson

Kolba

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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Wheat flour iron (Fe) fortification is mandatory in 75 countries worldwide yet many Fe fortificants, such as Fe-ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), result in unwanted sensory properties and/or gastrointestinal dysfunction and dysbiosis. Nicotianamine (NA) is a natural chelator of Fe, zinc (Zn) and other metals in higher plants and NA-chelated Fe is highly bioavailable in vitro. In graminaceous plants NA serves as the biosynthetic precursor to 2′-deoxymugineic acid (DMA), a related Fe chelator and enhancer of Fe bioavailability, and increased NA/DMA biosynthesis has proved an effective Fe biofortification strategy in several cereal crops. Here we utilized the chicken (Gallus gallus) model to investigate impacts of NA-chelated Fe on Fe status and gastrointestinal health when delivered to chickens through intraamniotic administration (short-term exposure) or over a period of six weeks as part of a biofortified wheat diet containing increased NA, Fe, Zn and DMA (long-term exposure). Striking similarities in host Fe status, intestinal functionality and gut microbiome were observed between the short-term and long-term treatments, suggesting that the effects were largely if not entirely due to consumption of NA-chelated Fe. These results provide strong support for wheat with increased NA-chelated Fe as an effective biofortification strategy and uncover novel impacts of NAchelated Fe on gastrointestinal health and functionality. Iron (Fe) supplementation and fortification are the two most widely used strategies to combat human Fe deficiencies that affect over 2 billion people worldwide 1-3. Iron supplementation involves large dose delivery of highly absorbable (bioavailable) Fe to humans and is effective in treating severe cases of Fe deficiency anemia 2,4,5. Iron fortification involves low dose delivery of bioavailable Fe fortificants to food products during manufacture (or point-of-use) and is an effective population-based strategy to boost Fe intakes. Iron fortification of wheat flour is now mandatory in 75 countries worldwide (Flour Fortification Initiative; https://fortificationdata.org/), however, the tendency of Fe fortificants such as ferrous sulfate (FeSO 4) to oxidize and cause undesired organoleptic and sensory properties pose significant challenges 6,7. Almost 90% of countries utilize fortificants with poor bioavailability or fortify at sub-optimal concentrations, although recent evidence suggests that Fe fortification can effectively reduce symptoms of Fe-deficiency anemia when correctly implemented 8-10. Iron chelated by ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) is a commonly recommended fortificant for cereal flour to minimize sensory alterations while providing Fe in a bioavailable form 3,6,8,11,12. Fortificants that utilize micro-and/or nanoencapsulation can further improve bioavailability 12-14 although the cost of using appropriately chelated and/or encapsulated Fe fortificants ($2 USD per ton to fortify wheat flour with EDTA-chelated Fe alone), and the requirement for centralized cereal processing and indust...

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“…C18:0 iso may be a microbial product of a branched chain amino acid and a branched short chain fatty acid [35]. C20:3n-6 (dihomo-gammalinolenic acid, DGLA) can be made from LA by the host [36] and is a precursor of the antiinflammatory and anti-proliferative prostaglandin PGE 1 [37][38][39]. Therefore, microbial modulation of DGLA may represent a mechanism by which the microbiome impacts inflammatory conditions and cancer development.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The microbiome affects liver sphingolipids and plasma fatty acids in a murine model of the Western diet based on soybean oil

Rienzi

Johnson

Waters

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Studies in mice using germfree animals as controls for microbial colonization have shown that the gut microbiome mediates diet-induced obesity. Such studies use diets rich in saturated fat, however, Western diets in the USA are enriched in soybean oil, composed of unsaturated fatty acids (FAs), either linoleic or oleic acid. Here we addressed whether the microbiome is a variable in fat metabolism in mice on a soybean oil diet. We used conventionally-raised, low-germ, and germfree mice fed for 10 weeks diets either high (HF) or low (LF) in high-linoleic-acid soybean oil as the sole source of fat. All mice, including germfree, gained relative fat weight and consumed more calories on the HF versus LF soybean oil diet. Plasma fatty acid levels were generally dependent on diet, with microbial colonization status affecting iso-C18:0, C20:3n-6, C14:0, and C15:0 levels. Colonization status, but not diet, impacted levels of liver sphingolipids including ceramides, sphingomyelins, and sphinganine. Our results confirm that absorbed fatty acids are mainly a reflection of the diet, and show that microbial colonization influences liver sphingolipid pools.

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The Linoleic Acid: Dihomo-γ-Linolenic Acid Ratio (LA:DGLA)—An Emerging Biomarker of Zn Status

Cited by 45 publications

References 67 publications

Is There a Link between Zinc Intake and Status with Plasma Fatty Acid Profile and Desaturase Activities in Dyslipidemic Subjects?

Is There a Link between Zinc Intake and Status with Plasma Fatty Acid Profile and Desaturase Activities in Dyslipidemic Subjects?

Nicotianamine-chelated iron positively affects iron status, intestinal morphology and microbial populations in vivo (Gallus gallus)

The microbiome affects liver sphingolipids and plasma fatty acids in a murine model of the Western diet based on soybean oil

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